WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) on Thursday received the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award from Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

The citation accompanying the medal cites Cochran’s career with the U.S. Navy as an officer, and his role in supporting the Navy as a United States Senator and member of Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Defense.

The award citation states, in part, “Senator Cochran’s long and selfless service to the Nation’s Sailors and Marines ensured they were provided the resources necessary to support and defend the Nation’s interests around the globe.”

The Secretary of the Navy presents the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award to civilians for service that benefits the Navy, Marine Corps and Department of the Navy. The award, established in 1951, is the highest public service honor bestowed by the Department of the Navy.

In addition to the Cochran award, Mabus also presented the honor to Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), a U.S. Army veteran.